After 2 short visits to the park, it has become one of a my favorites, a place I immediately start missing as soon as I leave.

I've stayed in Leokwe and LFTC, both are amazing and very different.

I would strongly advise doing the sunset drive. We saw a lot of game (including a leopard!!), but the scenery is already more than enough, and being outside and driving seldom driven roads is just magical.

After 2 short visits to the park, it has become one of a my favorites, a place I immediately start missing as soon as I leave.

I've stayed in Leokwe and LFTC, both are amazing and very different.

I would strongly advise doing the sunset drive. We saw a lot of game (including a leopard!!), but the scenery is already more than enough, and being outside and driving seldom driven roads is just magical.

We have recently returned from a week in Mapungubwe which I think was one of the most magical in my entire life. The combination of a wilderness area, the cultural heritage aspects and extraordinarily beautiful scenery was such a gift - definitely another visit from us on the cards - it was worth every minute of the drive up from Cape Town. We stayed at all 3 camps, each one different, but with their own charm. I would also like to compliment the staff we interacted with at the park; their helpfulness, kindness and warmth was unsurpassed - Mr Madau, the Hospitality Manager, Cedric our guide, the two ladies at reception (forgive me as I can't find the paper I wrote your names on) and Leonard who gave us the most wonderful, quite unforgettable morning.

IndiaJane we also just returned after visiting for a week and we did not want to leave. I can not remember another time spend anywhere more magical. we decided next it will be 3 weeks and Vembe camp is on the map. Will my 80 year old mum manage to get to the unit? And tshugulu lodge is on the cards, if only for a night. we stayed for the first time in Leokwe and what a awesome surprise. elephants at our unit investigating our car. magic. did you see the mapungubwe photo's on the blog?

ps. Rosemary, I did complete the guest feedback form. At reception Winnie Sebatje is an absolute jewel and and at LFTC it is Frieda from the cleaning crew. both worth gold.

I spent five nights at Mapungubwe in April (2 at Leokwe and 3 at the tented camp) and agree that it's a gem of a park, even tho as I drive a sedan, the roads that I could drive were limited — but even so, I had a very rewarding stay. I also agree that Frieda at the tented camp is a SANParks treasure — what a smile!

One day, exploring the far reaches of the eastern part of the park, I took a road that I later realised was likely a 4x4 road (altho it was a lot more sedan friendly than most of the roads at Marakele) and ended up at Zebra Pan, where I saw the following ruins. Does anyone know what they are/were?

Arks, I will be going next month with my daughter who does a lot of work for WITS history department. We will certainly take a look.

Jan Smuts had a cottage at Mapungubwe and this is not shown on the usual maps. There were also military border posts during the bush war period. If it is recent and military, it might go back to that era.

Busharmy, we have to bear in mind that Mapungubwe is a work in progress. Much of the land in that area is owned by private concerns such as Den Staat. Sanparks has been negotiating for years to consolidate the 2 pieces of ground. Because the land is income producing, the cost of the land has been a major obstacle.

This was also hunting territory. There was little attention placed on land rehabilitation and care for the future. Many fenced off areas are areas not yet properly rehabilitated. On top of this, remember this area was once part of the homelands, so the previous government was not too concerned about throwing money in that direction.

I could not agree more though that it is a travesty to have mining anywhere near such an important place. However, when Sanparks took over Mapengubwe, it was pretty much barren land. What we see today is mainly thanks to Sanparks.

The heritage site and graves were kept secret my the previous government for many years, as it contadicted what was being taught in schools, that the whites were the first "known civilasation' in South Africa.

The bird doesn't sing because it has answers, it sings because it has a song.

Arks , those are in fact the remains of military barracks from when the area was military property , saw when on a day walk there .The area was closed to all but the military (and was not part of the homelands) as the area was a hotbed of insurgent incursions in the late '80's by freedom fighters who planted landmines indescriminately along the borders of SA . I believe a reasonable degree of preservation of the area was maintained during this time considering the insurgent situation , I would go as far as saying it was better preserved at the time than is the case with heritage sights in general today .

KNP is sacred.I am opposed to the modernisation of Kruger and from the depths of my soul long for the Kruger of yesteryear! 1000+km on foot in KNP incl 56 wild trails.200+ nights in the wildernessndloti-indigenous name for serval.

bedazel wrote:I am thinking off camping in Mapungubwe, any one with advice on what time of year or what to take with. How are the facilities regarding ablutions etc. Any info or advice would be appreciated.

We camped there last year and the ablutions were fine. It's a beautiful rustic camp set in amongst trees and thick bush.

KNP is sacred.I am opposed to the modernisation of Kruger and from the depths of my soul long for the Kruger of yesteryear! 1000+km on foot in KNP incl 56 wild trails.200+ nights in the wildernessndloti-indigenous name for serval.